Ok well now I'm really confused. I bought an LT1 starter for my 87 w/ 305. It is an auto if that matters. Well the starter gear that gets the flexplate sits lower than the stocker and pushes the starter away so the bolt holes don't line up. This is getting depressing. There shouldn't be a difference between the auto or manual transmission starter, should there? Any help is greatly appreciated as this is the only thing keeping me from starting the car after the engine swap.

 

Sounds like you have a 14" flex plate on your car for whatever reason.... these cars usually have a 12¾" one, which is what that starter fits.

In other words, you have the wrong flex plate on your car, and you used to have the correct wrong starter (correct for the flex plate, wrong for the car) which is too big to fit easily, to match it.

The stock starter for the 12¾" flex plate would have fit. The starter you have now will fit fine if you put in the right flex plate. If I were in your situation that's what I'd do.

 

that's great. I can probably pick that up at a junkyard right? If not how much is a new one? I just really don't want to have to unbolt all of this crap again. Well you live and you learn.

 

Get a new one. They're only like $35 or so. No point in paying money to get a worn-out one that's about to crack.

You don't have to pull the trans to change it; all you have to do is move it rearwards about 1½". Pull one bolt on each side, and put about a 4" long one in its place; pull the other 4 bolts, the crossmember, the 3 converter bolts, and disconnect the cooler lines and shifter; and slide it back. Then use a long box-end wrench on the flex plate bolts.

 

well than I guess I'll do that and pray to *** that this works. I'm ready to kick the friggin thing off of the jackstands, let it roll into the street and let people come get the parts they need.

 

I think you can run a manual flywheel starter out of a 4.3 V6 without pulling the transmission to change the flywheel. I have one and I know it is spaced too big for my 153 tooth flexplate. I know you can get them pretty cheap too. I thought it might save you a tranny pull.
Good luck,
Charlie